Bangkok: Accident Reduction Network campaigns "Don't drink and drive" for Songkran, go home safe. Advice on reducing risks during the festival Mr. Kasidit Khantharat, manager of the Accident Reduction Network Office (Accident Reduction Network Office), said that the Songkran Festival in 2024 will be different from past years. Whether it is a matter of the duration of the Songkran festival This year, the government has determined that celebration activities can be held for up to 21 days, but there will be a 7-day intensive control period between 11-17 April 2024 to promote tourism and stimulate the country's economy. And it is the year that UNESCO Announcement confirming that the Songkran tradition is considered a world heritage site. This has caused many areas to continue holding activities and cause more cars on the roads and travel than usual. This results in an increased risk of accidents. The Road Safety Administration Center (ROAD) has set up a campaign under the name 'Drive safely. Thailand without Acc idents", in which the Office of the Higher Education Commission and Thai Health Promotion Foundation have jointly communicated to emphasize the topic "Drinking alcohol, drunkenness to the brain, don't drink and drive" in order to create awareness of safe driving and to communicate about alcohol that is absorbed into the body, even if only a little. long It will affect brain control, decision making, daring to do things you shouldn't do. There is excitement, impatience, and lack of awareness, leading to accidents. The Road Safety Administration Center (ROAD) has reported accumulated road accident statistics for 7 days (11-17 April 2023) with a total of 2,203 accidents. 2,208 people were injured, 264 people died. The province with the highest cumulative number of accidents was Chiang Rai Province, 68 times. The province with the highest number of cumulative deaths was Chiang Rai Province. Bangkok Province had 22 cases and the province with the highest cumulative number of injuries was Nakhon Si Thammarat Provin ce The cause was speeding (38.22 percent), drinking and driving (23.97 percent), cutting too close in front (17.57 percent). The vehicles that caused the most accidents were: Motorcycles 80.46 percent Pickup trucks 7.43 percent Mr. Kasidit added that there are general risks of driving during the festival. It usually comes from a lack of adequate rest before traveling. Lack of travel planning, drinking and driving, drowsy, falling asleep, losing control on the side of the road. Put yourself into a risky area. Not being skilled at the route, rushing, driving fast, colliding with people in the area There are also risks when playing in the water during Songkran that require additional caution, that is, if there is water swimming on the route. Cars driving may not be able to see the road, the road is slippery, and it is risky to sit in the back of a pickup truck. Not wearing a helmet The water play area is crowded with cars. Water splashes hard, cars fall, the road is slippery, there are puddles of water, drinkin g alcohol in the no-drinking zone (Safety Zone), arguments and harassment. During the festival, there are many foreign tourists coming in, there are more cars and people on the road. Normally, the risk is high, including the policy of selling alcohol and opening pubs until 4 a.m. There are drunk people on the road, cars at risk, people at risk more than usual, which is the risk that this will happen. Those involved must plan their response well. Strict supervision It will reduce the risk of loss.-411 Source: Thai News Agency